Murray tells Boston breakfast group he'd like to be governor

Thursday

Nov 15, 2012 at 9:00 AMNov 15, 2012 at 9:35 AM

By John J. Monahan TELEGRAM & GAZETTE STAFF

Lt. Gov. Timothy P. Murray laid down a marker as a possible 2014 candidate for governor this morning, telling Boston business leaders he would like to be governor of the state but has not yet decided to run.

“I would like to be governor. I think it is OK to say that out loud,” Mr. Murray said at high-profile speaking spot at the Greater Boston Chamber of Commerce's monthly breakfast meeting.

“For those of us who will look at 2014, Democrat or Republican, it comes down to a very personal decision for each of us, both the impact on our families and the impact each of us think we can have on the future of this state and of each person who lives here,” Mr. Murray said.

Mr. Murray made the comments in a speech in which he offered an accounting of his last six years as lieutenant governor, citing a litany of projects and policy initiatives the administration has completed. Looking forward, he said he plans to stay hard at work on the Patrick administration's agenda.

“Regardless of my decision to run for governor or not, I think here are some important areas we as a commonwealth should and will be focusing on, all of which relate back to jobs and our economy,” Mr. Murray said.

His discussion of a possible run for governor comes after a career marked with election successes as mayor and two terms as lieutenant governor, but follows a year of controversy in which he totaled a state-owned car and in which questions were raised about the campaign fundraising of former Chelsea Housing Director Michael E. McLaughlin, who resigned under duress last year.

In addition, a number of top Democrats are weighing a possible run to succeed Gov. Deval L. Patrick, when he leaves office after two terms.

Mr. Murray has been accused of no wrongdoing in connection with Mr. McLaughlin's disgrace. The lieutenant governor has cooperated with an ongoing investigation into the former housing director's alleged illegal activities, including whether he was involved in illegal fundraising for the Patrick-Murray campaigns. Records showed that Mr. Murray was in frequent phone contact with Mr. McLaughlin before he resigned.

Mr. Murray said he has no timetable for when he may decide whether or not to run for governor.